NORMAN – Brent Venables could see the potential as he went through Taylor Wein's high school tape with the coaching staff.
"We had a guy that decommitted late and we found (Wein) immediately and I'm like, 'This guy might be every bit if not better than the guy we lost,'" Venables said.
Oklahoma was looking to replace a four-star defensive end who had shifted his commitment to Texas. Vasek, filled with talent and a solid build, was a player the staff wasn't happy with losing at the time. But Wein jumped out as the defensive-minded Venables watched him. What made the notion of going after him all the more intriguing is that Venables saw the connections Wein had to Oklahoma despite being a prospect out of Tennessee.
"His dad had worked here," Venables said. "They had lived in Oklahoma City. And they live in Tennessee but they lived in Oklahoma City before and they love the Sooners."
Once Venables and his staff reached out, their love for Oklahoma became apparent.
"They wanted to commit before they even got here and then you're like, 'Woah. Woah,'" Venables said with a smile, 'I know we offered you, but you're not supposed to say yes right away.' That's just kind of a coaching thing. Now you're thinking there's something wrong. But next thing you know he blew up and all of these people wanted him too and it's a really cool story.
Oklahoma offered, and many more followed after. But being the first big program made an impression on Wein. He committed soon after.
"Before OU pulled the trigger, they were the first Power Five school to believe in me," Wein told 247Sports after his commitment in 2022. "I had 22 total offers. They were mid-majors and FCS schools and obviously I'm not downplaying them but I knew I could play at the highest levels. Since the season started, I had been saying that. I just kept grinding, getting my tape right and it worked out. It was all in God's timing and it's great to be in my shoes. I can't wait to be part of the culture at Oklahoma."